First Principles and Ordinances of Christ's Gospel

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Articles of Faith 1:4

Faith

• Full confidence & trust in the being, purposes and words of God. Belief is passive acceptance, agreement only, however faith is active, positive, embracing. Such reliance and confidence as will lead to works. “Faith is a requisite to salvation.” Talmage, Article of Faith pp. 87-88
• Faith is having a firm belief that Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God and Savior and Redeemer of the World.
• We must have perfect Faith or we cannot be saved in the kingdom of Heaven (2 Nephi 9:23). We are made alive in Christ because of our faith (2 Nephi 25:25). If we have faith, we can do all things in God (Moroni 7:33). The Holy Ghost worketh by power according to the faith of the children of men (Moroni 10:7). By the grace of Christ we are saved through faith and not of ourselves, it is a gift from God (2 Ephesians 2:8).
• Faith leads to sincere and lasting repentance. Preach My Gospel pp.61

Repentance

• A renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed through repentance made possible by Christ in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Bible Dictionary pp. 761
• We can only receive God’s mercy on the condition of repentance. Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves and the world. As we repent and pass on from this life it will better prepare us to live with our Heavenly Father and Savior. Preach My Gospel pp.62 

Baptism

• Symbolizes three main concepts: being born again, being cleansed, and the burial and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
• Baptism in the introductory ordinance of the Gospel. It has been around since the days of Adam (Moses 6:64-48) and even the Israelites were baptized in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Baptism must be done by immersion and is not optional if one wishes the fullness of salvation. Bible Dictionary
• The purposes of baptism are: 1) The remission of sins; 2) For membership in Christ's church; 3) Entrance into the celestial kingdom. Bible Dictionary
• A person having received baptism can remember it throughout life as a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and their desires to come unto His fold, bear one another’s burdens, morn with those that morn, comfort those that need comforting, stand as witness of God in all things and in all times and in all places being numbered with those of the first resurrection (Mosiah 18).
• Baptism is a doorway to personal sanctification when followed by the reception of the Holy Ghost and must be followed by baptism of the spirit in order to be complete. Bible Dictionary
• 2 Nephi 31:5-7; And now, if the Lamb of God, He being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! And now I would ask of you my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfill all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that He was holy? He showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh He humbeleth Himself unto the Father that He would be obedient unto Him in keeping His commandments.

Gift of the Holy Ghost

• The Gift of The Holy Ghost is a “…foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life*.” Preach My Gospel pp. 62
• Given by the proper authority and by the laying on of hands, the responsibilities of the Holy Ghost are to: 
  • Cleanse and sanctify us
  • Testify and help us learn truth
  • Provide the ‘fruits of the spirit’
  • Comfort us during times of sorrow or trials
  • Warn us of physical or spiritual danger
  • Provide us with power by which we teach and learn (Preach My Gospel, Bible Dictionary, Corinthians)
• He will tell us in our minds and in our hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. Doctrine & Covenants 8:2
• *Earnest: A pledge or security. The spirit is the Lord’s surety that He will fulfill His promise to give eternal life to the faithful. Bible Dictionary

Answers Through the Holy Ghost

• Doctrine & Covenants 6:22-24; Witnesses through peace
• Doctrine & Covenants 8:2; Receive the knowledge of whatever you ask of in faith, with an honest heart, believing ye shall receive. He will tell us in our mind and in our heart by the power of the Holy Ghost.
• Doctrine & Covenants 9:7-8; We must study it out in our minds, the ask God. If it be right, there will be a burning in our bosom ad we will feel that it is right. If it is not right, our minds will become darkened or in a stupor (suspension sensibility, apathy).
• Doctrine & Covenants 58:27-28; We must be anxiously engaged in our own righteous actions, being agents unto ourselves, not expecting to be commanded in all things.
• Doctrine & Covenants 6:25; Often, if seeking to do good, it ‘mattereth not unto [God]” what we choose.